Information on Tropical Flamboyant Tree Seeds

by Eulalia Palomo

The flamboyant tree is also commonly called flame tree.

One look at the tropical flamboyant tree (Delonix regia) and you can see where this tree got its common name. The large clusters of bright red flowers bloom in profusion. After flowering, long, flat seedpods, filled with seeds, hang from the branches. The seedpods hang on long after the flowers disappear, and the seeds rattle in their pods when the wind blows. Tropical flamboyant tree grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12.

Seedpod Formation

After flowering in spring and early summer, tropical flamboyant tree produces long, flat, seedpods that typically grow 14 to 20 inches long, or longer, and 2 inches wide. The seedpods form in late summer and early fall. When fresh, the pods are green and fleshy and resemble a flat bean, but as they mature, the pods turn brown or black in color and get hard and stiff. Each pod contains about 50 individual seeds. Unless harvested, the seedpods often stay on the tree for several growing seasons before falling to the ground.

Seeds

The oblong seeds are black to brown in color and about 1/3 to 1/2 inch long. They lie in shallow groves inside the seedpod. Once the pods turn brown and harden, you can harvest the seeds. Pick the seedpods from the tree using a knife or clippers to cut the stem, and then break open the seedpods. You can use a knife to split the pods lengthwise. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from injury when cutting open the tough pods.

Seed Pretreatment

Tropical flamboyant tree seeds can take a long time to germinate, anywhere from 12 to 349 days, but there are some pretreatement methods you can use to speed up germination. Chipping the seed coat, a method called scarification, will stimulate germination by allowing water to penetrate the seed. Use a sharp mat knife to nick the outer layer of the seed. Alternately, you can place the seeds in water and bring the water to a boil, then allow the water to cool, while the seeds soak, for 24 hours. Once treated, tropical flamboyant tree seeds germinate in five to 10 days.

Seed Storage

Tropical flamboyant tree seeds store well for up to three years without losing their viability or reducing germination rates. Tropical flamboyant tree seeds generally have a 90 to 100 percent germination rate when treated before planting. With longer storage, up to nine years, germination rates drop by 50 percent. Store the seeds in a dry place at room temperature. The hard, glossy seeds are used in jewelry-making as beads.

About the Author

Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad.

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